Machine for cutting out boot or shoe soles



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MACHINE FR GUTTINGOUT BOOT 0R SHOE SOLES.

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l MACHINE TOR CUTTING OUT BOOT OR SHOE SOLES. NO. 589,409. Patented Sept. 7,1897.

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J. J. BREAOH. MACHINE FOR CUTTING OUT BOOT OR SHOE SOLES. No. 589,409. Patented Sept. 7,1897.

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J. J. BRBACH. MACHINE 'EOE CUTTING OUT EooT '0E SHOE SOLES.

No. 589,409. Patented Sept. 7,1897.

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UNITED STATES I'PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES I. BREAOH, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

MACHINE FOR CUTTING OUT BOOT OR SHOE SOLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 589,409, dated September '7, 1897'.

Application tiled June 15, 1891. Serial No. 396,366. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it'known that I, JAMES J. BREACH, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of thecity of Boston,in the countyoflSuffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Cutting Out Boot or Shoe Soles, dac., of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to a machine for cutin g out articles from sheet material, and more particularly to machines for cutting' out full and tap soles from leather, leather-board, or other suitable sheet material.

The object of the invention is to produce a machine which will readily cut out articles from sheet material of irregular curvilinear outline, and a machine employing a reciprocat-in g cutter having provision for always presenting its cutting edge at the proper angle relative to the outline of the article to be cut, and, further, to `generally improve the construction and operation of machines of thi. character.

To this end the present invention consists of the devices and combination of devices which willbe hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a plan View. Figs. 2 and 2^, with the parts represented placed to coincide along lines @c Q0 of each figure, make a com plete side elevation. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line 3 3, Fig. l, parts being in elevation. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, parts being in section, of a portion of the machine, showing the sliding part of the cutter-carrier. Fig.

5 is an end elevation of the sliding part of the cutter-carrier shown in Fig. 4. Fig. (i is a horizontal section on line 6 6, Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the sliding cutter-carrier. Fig. S is an enlarged plan, and Fig. 9 is an end view, of the automaticv clutch-operating devices. Fig. l0' is a plan, parts being in section, of a rotating support for the cutter-carrier, and Fig. ll is a plan view of a sole pattern illustrating la modification. n

y The machine comprsesaframe of suitable size and shape to support the working parts, and may conveniently consist of two legframes A A2, one, A, at the front and the other, A2, at thc rear of a horizontal arm A2,

that is rigidly secured to both of said frames and makes part of a gooseneck standard A4 A5, and of which the upright portion A4 is at the rear and the horizontal portion A5 extends to the front end of and is directly over and above said horizontal arm A5.

B is the driving-shaft.

The driving-shaft B is preferably horizon tal, as shown, and at its opposite end portions it turns in bearings of the horizontal portion of the gooseneck standard A4 A5.

The driving-shaft B has a loose pulleywheel B2 confined against lateral movement and a sliding clutching-collar O splined on it and adapted to slide in one direction to clutch the loose pulley B2 to cause the shaft to rotate and in the other direction to unclutchit from the loose pulley-wheel and to clutch the driving-shaft to the iiXed vprojection O2 at the rear end of gooseneck A4 A5 and thus stop the rotation of said shaft.

, The pulley-wheel B2 -is driven by a belt, (not shown,) and if clutched to the shaft B the shaft is driven, and if unclutched from the shaft and clutched to the gooseneck A4 A5, as stated, the shaft is rigidly held against rotation.

B2 is a bevel gear-wheel fixed to the front end of shaft B and located within a chamber AG at the front of gooseneck A4 A5.

B4 is a horizontal bevel gear-wheel which meshes with the bevel gear-wheel Bs and which is fixed on the upper end of a vertical tubular shaft B5, which at its lower end has a horizontal worm-wheel BG, which is in mesh with similar worm-wheels B7 B7, Figs. 3 and l0, each confined against en-dwise movement and free to rotate in chambers O5 of a common head-block O.

The head-block O is rigidly secured to the lower end of a vertical shaft C2, which is surrounded by the tubular shaftl B5,'and atits upper end it is secured to acollar O5, resting on a horizontal offset A7 of gooseneclz A4 A5. The horizontal bevel gear-wheel B4 on the tubular shaft B5 isdirectly under said offset and at rest on the lower wallA8 of t-he chamber A5. By resting collar C5 on the offset A7 the head-block C is held in position, and by resting the gear-wheel B4 on the lower wall A8 of the gooseneck said gear, its tubular shaft B5 and worm-@ear B thereon are held Y 7 C IOO in position. The head-block C is the support for the cutter-carrier, all of which will be hereinafter described.

Each worm-wheel B7 is splined on a separate and siinilarlyarranged horizontal shaft 3S, and each shaft is rotated by the rotation of and is free to move lengthwise through its worin gearmf'heel B1. Each shaft B8 is sup ported and rotates on a separate and similar sliding frame, each of which constitutes a two-part support for the cutter-carrier. Each sliding frame in substance is composed of an upright D, on which said splined shaft is su pported and rotates, and of horizontal bars or rails D2 D2, one above and the other below said shaft, and parallel with each other and said shaft, and all at right angles to said end upright D. The vertical edges of each rail D2 D3 are parallel, and each is adapted to fit and slide in horizontal and parallel squaresided or dovetailed ways or grooves D4 D1 of said head-block C, and also of its horizontal end extension C1, one located at one end and the other at the opposite end of the block, and all so arranged that each slide-fraine D D2 D3 is at opposite sides of and each at a corL responding distance from a common vertical plane through the axial line of the vertical tubular shaft B5, before referred to.

Each splined shaft BS at the inner side of the end upright D of the sliding frame has a crank B11, on which is hung a vertical pit- 1nan-rod B10 of fork shape and having between its arms or tines a tubular block B11, which is held therein by axially coincident and horizontal trunnioirpins B12, whereby it is free to turn or rotate on said pitman-rod. B13 is an upright cylindrical sleeve that passes through said tubular block and is free to turn therein, and which has shoulders B14 at its upper and lower end portions to hold it against lengthwise movement in said block, while al lowing it to freely turn therein. E is a vertical rod which extends through and projects above and below the upper and lower ends of said sleeve B13 and at its opposite end portions is rigidly held on upper and lower stationary offsets D6 D7 of the end upright D of a sliding frame D D2 D2.

rlhe xed rod E acts as a guide for the sleeve B12 as it is moved up and down by the rotation of the splined shaft B8 through the pitinan-rod B1O and tubular block B11, and said rod also acts as a bearing for said sleeve as it rotates.

Below the offset DT of the sliding frame is a horizontal gear-wheel E2, which is held loosely to and free to turn on said guide-rod E, and which meshes with a horizontal gearwheel E2, fixed at the lower end of a vertical shaft E4,which at its opposite end portions is held and turns in bearings on the upright D.

is a coiled spring under tension surrounding the shaft E4. The spring is attached at one end to the shaft E1, and at the other'end it rests on the end upright D, the arrangement bein g such that a turning of the shaft in one direction is against the tension of said spring and in the other direction with the tension of said spring. The sleeve B12 has a horizontal radial or side extension or arm F, and this arm at its outer end has a vertical cylindrical block F2, which is shouldered at its opposite ends F2, and 'thereby is held on and is free to turn in said arm. The axial line of this block F2 is parallel with the axial line of the rotation of the sleeve B13 on the fixed vertical guide-rod E, and below said block E2 is another similar block F1, which by its end shoulders F5 is similarly held and is free to turn on another arm F6 in radial extension of vertical shaft F1, which is entered into and free to turn in the vertical socket Fs of the lower end portion of sleeve B13 on said guide-rod E and concentric with the axis thereof.

F12 is a vertical pin fixed on 'the lower arm FG in position to be engaged with the teeth'of the horizontal gear-wheel E2, and thus said arm F1 is placed under the tension of the coiled spring E5 and given a yielding and elastic pressure in its bearing by its block F4 against the edge of the pattern-plate, all as hereinafter appears.

The axes of the upper and lower blocks F2 and F1 are at corresponding distances from the axial line of rotation of the sleeve B13 and Shaft F7.

Gr is a vertical blade which in cross-section is ofv rectangular shape and extends from block F2 to block F4 and through corresponding rectangular bores F1 and F10 of each block, and it is attached to the upper block F2 by means of a collar G2, which fits upon and `is fastened to Va split projection of said block F2. (See dotted lines, Fig. 4.) In the machine of the drawings there are two of these blades G, and the lower end of each has a chisel cutting edge, so that as each blade is vertically reciprocated the sheet material suitably held and located therefor will be eut out thereby, all as hereinafter appears.

For the purpose of accurately positioning the cutting edge of the knife Gr relatively to the contour of the article to be cut, so that the cutting edge thereof shall always be in line with the cut which it is desired to make, the knife is preferably swiveled by mounting the saine in the freely-movable blocks F2 and F1, as described, and said knife and its supporting-blocks are turned to bring its edge in proper position by asuitable guiding contact with the pattern H, which guiding contact may conveniently be secu red by the following construction.

The lever-block F'1in arm F11 and preferably below the said arm has a peripheral notch F11, suitably shaped to have a guiding contact against the exposed edge a of a horizontal pattern-plate Il, and, as shown, bears against the upper and lower surfaces Z) andb2 of said pattern.

The pattern Il is detachably held against the under side of a block I, conccntrieally se- IOO IIO

IZO

cured to the lower end portion of a vertical stem or rod J, which has its upper end portion entered into a vertical socket J2 and detachably secured to the lower end of a vertical shaft K, in upward extension of said stem J, and free to turn in the vertical sleeve C2 of the head-block C and the collar C5 of said sleeve and in the upper wall A9 of the chamber A6 of the gooseneck A4 A5; The shaft K within the chamber A6 is surrounded by a coiled spring K7, confined end to end between the upper wall A9 of said chamber and a collar K5, fixed on the shaft K. Again, the shaft K at its upper end portion has a horizontal gear-wheel K2 fixed thereto, and this gear rests on said upper wall A9 of the gooseneck A4 A5 and is in mesh with a smaller horizontal gear-wheel K5 at the upper end portion of a Vertical shaft K4, which at its opposite end portions turns in suitable bearings of the upper and lower walls A9 AS of the chambered head of the gooseneck A4 A5 and at its lower end portion has ahorizontal pinion gear-wheel K5, in mesh with a larger horizontal gearwheel K5, which turns about the vertical tubular shaft B5, which is directly geared, as explained, with the driving-shaft B.

The gear-wheel K5 is at the upper side of and rigidly held on ahorizontal circular disk L, surrounding and free to turn about the tubular shaft B5. This disk Lhas an upwardprojecting peripheral flan ge L2, that is capped by ascrew-threaded ring L5, screwed onto its upper end and shaped to lap horizontally and loosely over a horizontal annular block L4, which loosely surrounds said tubular shaft B5 and is made fast to the under side of the lower Wall A5 of the chambered head AG and has the upper side of the disk L at a bearing against its under side.

M is a flat and horizontal plate made fast to the under side of the circular disk L and loosely surrounding and free to turn about said tubular shaft B5. This plate M, as shown, is of greater dimension in one than in the other direction, and at its under side it `has a continuous and encircling groove or way M2, which is of uniform width throughout, and, as particularly shown, Figs. l and 3, is composed of two straight and parallel lengths, which at their opposite ends are continued in a semioircle, each of corresponding radius and having the center of both at corresponding distances from and coincident with a straight line through them and theaxis of said tubular shaft B5. This groove or way M2 has a continuous vertical toothed rack M5, forming the lower portion of its outer edge, and a vertical iiat face M4 above said rack and forming the upper portion of its said outer edge. The [iat face M4 of the way M2 forms a bearing for a horizontal friction roller N, turning loosely on a Vertical stud N2, rigidly held on the upper rail D2 of a sliding frame D D2 D5, and the toothed rack M5 of the way h 2 has meshing with it a horizontal pinion gearwheel N5, turning on said stud N2 and having a concentric worm gear-wheel N4, both turning as one. The worm gear-wheel N4 is in mesh with a worm N5 of a horizontal shaft N, that turns in bearing-blocks N7 N5, held on the upper rail D2 of a sliding frame D D2 D5, and outside of the end upright D of said frame it has a pinion gear-wheel N 2, in mesh with a vertical gear-wheel N40, turning on a fixed stud N11 of said endupright and in mesh with a gear-wheel N12, held on the splined and crank shaft B8 belonging to said sliding frame.

P is theplaten. This platen is rigid and horizontal, and it is fiat on its upper side, and, as shown, its outline is preferably circular. Again, preferably the platen is made of iron or oth er suitable and rigid metal or other material; but if it is not always suitable its upper side is provided with a sheet P2 of leatherboard or other suitable sheet material, all so arranged as to make it suitable for a cuttingblock and also to make it suitable as one jaw or part of a clamp, the other jaw of which is the under side of the pattern H, held on the block I as before mentioned, or preferably, as shown, by the use of an interposed plate H2, made of iron or other suitable material and held against the under side of the pattern H.

The platen P is rigidly held at the upper end of a vertical spindle P5, that is contained and is free to move up and down withinv a vertical guide-bearin g A11 at the front end of the lower horizontal arm A3 of the supportingframework of the machine, and t-he aXial line of this guide-bearing is coincident with the axial line of the vertical tubular shaft B5, hereinbefore referred to. The spindle P5 at its lower end is hung by a horizontal pivot P4 on the upper end R of a vertically-located toggle-lever R R2, consisting of an upper arm R and a lower arm R2, which are pivoted end to end together. The lower toggle-arm R2 at its lower end is pivoted to earpieces A42 at the lower portion of the front leg-frame A, and below said earpieces it is extended forward and horizontally and adapted as a foot or treadle lever R5, so that by pressing down said treadle the toggle-arms are straightened out, pulling against the tension of a spiral spring` R4, that is hung at its opposite ends on the lower toggle-arm and on the rear legframe A2. By'this operation of the togglelever the platen P is raised, and with it the sheet material to be cut out, toward the plate H2, and finally firmly clamped between said plate H2 and platen P, secured, preferably, by fastening and holding with suitable means the toggle-lever in its saidstraightened position.

Means to hold the toggle-lever in its position clamping the sheet material to be cut out between the platen P and the pattern H, as just described, are shown in'Fig. 24. They consist of a vert-ical catch-rod R5, which at itsv opposite end portion is arranged to play through upper kand lower earpieces R6 R7 of the lower toggle-arm R2. This catch-rod R5,

IOC

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as the toggle-lever straightens, moves toward the front leg-frame A, and the .upper end thereof is adapted to first pass under the lower edge of the vertical lip A13 of said legframe and to be raised vertically outside of said lip A15, the rod being raised by the tension of spring R9, confined end to end on said rod between a fixed collar R10 and the lower guiding-earpiece R7 therefor, the rod being held up and its end in contact with the face of lip A13 until said catch-rod is depressed by placing the foot on and pressing down a treadle-lever R11, fulcrumed on the lower toggle-arm R2 and hung on the lower end of said catch-rod R5, whereby the toggle-lever by the action of its spring R1 is moved backward, bringing its arms into a more or less angular vertical position and lowering the platen P and releasing the sheet material previously held on it and clamped between it and the pattern Il, as has been described.

R12 is a collar fixed on catch-rod R5, which acts by striking the upper earpiece R5 as a stop to the upward movement of the rod R5.

The toggle-lever described and in the machine of this invention, as it is practically shown, is utilized to secure from its movements to straighten and to bend its arms movements of the clutching-collar O of the driving-shaft to clutch and to unclutch the driving-shaft B and the driving pulley-wheel B2, and by mechanism as follows:

S is a horizontal arm which is projected zontal arm A3 of the framework of the ma-v chine. The rear end of the lever S3 is connected to the lower end of a vertical rod S1, that at its upper end is connected to one arm S5 of a vertically-placed bell-crank lever S5 S, which is fulcrumed on and at one side of the gooseneck A1 A5, and the other arm of the bellcrank lever is connected to the rear end of a horizontal rod T, that extends lengthwise along and under the horizontal arm of the framework and is arranged for lengthwise movement through suitable su pporting-bearings A15 A16 of the vertical arm A1 of the gooseneck A1 A5. The horizontal rod T is just above the screw-threaded ring L3 of the upwardly-flanged disk L, hereinbefore referred to, and one of its vertical sides has a notch T2, Fig. S, in position when said rod is suitably placed therefor to be engaged with a vertical arm U of a vertical and edgewise-placed ring U2, which is contained within and concentrically `encircles the flange of said flanged disk L and is constructed and operated as will be hereinafter described.

T3 T1 are two collars iixed on the horizontal rod T, and one,T5, is in position for engagement with a horizontal handle-lever Y, which is fulcrumed on the horizontal arm A5 of gooseneck A1 A5, and when it is moved in the proper direction to strike said collar and thereby move said rod in a direction toward the rear of the machine. The other collar T4 is in a position on a rearward slide of the rod T, as above stated, to strike the lower portion of a vertical stirrup-shaped frame T5, which lies on the opposite vertical sides of swings on the horizontal arm A5, and thereby to swing said frame T5 to bring it to a bearing on and press against the front end of two horizontal rods T1' T5, which are located on opposite sides of the horizontal arm A1 and are supported and guided by4 iixed side earpieces A11 A18 on said arm A1 and to move said rods rearward against coiled springs T5, one on each rod, confined between iixed collars T9 of the rear bearing-earpieces A18. rlhe sliderods T6 T7 at their rear end portions pass loosely through the fixed beveled clutchingblock o2, hereinbefore referred to. The sliding clutching-collar O at its end toward said block O2 is interiorly suitably shaped to receive and closely fit over said clutching-block O2, and at its other end toward the driving pulley-wheel B2 it is externally suitably shaped to enter into and closely iit the inner peripheral wall of the rim of the said pulleywheel, entering the rim at its end toward said sliding clutching-collar O.

The axis of the slide-rods T1* T7 and driving-shaft B are parallel and in a common horizontal plane, and the slide-rods are axially at corresponding lateral distances from the axis of the driving-shaft.

T1o is a dat ring fixed on the rear ends of the slide-rods T5 T7 and lying within and engaging a peripheral groove of the hub of the sliding clutching-collar O, and thus the sliderods T6 T7 are engaged with the clutching-collar, so that when the rods are moved in either direction the clutching-collar is correspondingly moved, while at all times it is free to rotate in unison with the shaft B, and thus by a slide of the clutching-collar O in one direction the driving-shaft B and pulley-wheel B2 are clutched and in the other direction the driving-shaft and fixed clutching-block O2 are clutched. The slide of the clutching-collar 0 to clutch driving-shaft and pulley-wheel is against the springs T8 about the slide-rods, and the slide of the clutching-collar to clutch driving-shaft and block O2 is by the tension of said springs, and the slide of the collar to clutch drivin g-shaft and pulley-wheel can be secured by straightening the toggle-lever R R2 or by a proper swing of the handle-lever Y each w'ay independent of the other.

The drawings show the drivin g-shaft B and its pulley-wh eel B2 as clutched by straightening the toggle-lever R R2 and so held by the engagement of clutch-rod R5 with front legframe A, as described. Again, they show the platen I and pattern ll as closed and having IOO IIO

clamped between them the sheet material to be cut ont; also, two cutters to cut out the clamped sheet material, a cutter at each end of the pattern along its longest axis, and the outters and their carriers as in their lowest'position; also, the horizontal rod T connect-ed to the toggle-lever and to the sliding clutchingcollar O2, as engaged by its side notch T2, with the upright U of the ring U2 contained-within the flanged disk L. In other words, all parts of the machine so far as has been described are shown as in the position required from the particular arrangement of the machine described to begin and to proceed with the cutting out from the clamping sheet material of a piece thereof of dimensions and outline substantially corresponding to those of the pattern and under an operation of the parts to be explained, but before doing so the ring U2, before referred to, its particular construction and arrangement, and the parts for.. operating it will be described. Entirely around the lower edge of the ring U2 are ratchet-teeth U5, Fig. 9, and diametrically opposite to the arm U, which engages the rodT for operating as has been described, the ring has another upwardly-projecting arm U4, and this arm and said arm U pass through separate and similar slots U5 of the top of the flanged disk L, said slots extending in a circular direction, having its center coincident with the axis of rotation of the tubular shaft B5.

The fiange L2 of the disk L at its front side has an opening at which is a flat spring U7, fixed at one end to said fiange or disk and at its other free end in position to'bear upwardly against the under side of the toe V2 of a pawl V, which is fulcrumed at its heel V3 on the inside of a plate W, arranged to slide on and Y about the perimeter of the flange L3 of the disk L, and whereon it is confined and guided by its lengthwise slots W2 and fixed pins T3 on said flange L3 and which engagesaid slots.

IV4 is a pin projecting horizontally from the-slide-plate W and in position to be struck by the upper end portion of a vertical arm X of a horizontal shaft X2, which turnsin bearing-blocks X3, fixed on the upper side of the grooved and rack plate M, and has the vertical plane of its axial line coincident with that of the central longitudinal line of and projects beyond the end of said plate, where it is provided with a vertical depending arm X4, that has its lower end portion in position to be struck and acted on by the upper side of the bearing-block N7 or other suitable proj ecl Nixon the dependent arm X4 of the horizontal shaft X2 said shaft is rotated in a direction to carry the upper arm X of said shaft X2 into a position to act on the pin W of the slideplate W to move said slide W in the direction of the arrows, Figs. S and 9, carrying the pawl V in the same direction. The movement of the pawl V, by the movement of plate IV, causes the spring U7 to force the pawl in engagement with the ratchet-teeth of the ring U2, and thus said ring and its upright arms U U4 are moved around on the disk L andA causes the arm U to be disengaged from the slide-rod T, connected with the sliding clutching-collar O, as has been explained, which by thc action of the springs causes the collar O t0 be moved away from pulley B2, as has been described, thus stopping the rotation of the driving-shaft B. As the bearing-block N7 moves past the dependent arm X4 of the horizontal shaft X2 the slide W and the ratchet-ring U2 are each returned to their normal positions, the slide W by the tension of a spiral spring W5, fixed at its opposite ends on said slide and on the anged disk L, and the ratchet-ring U2 by the tension of a spiral spring U5,"fixed at its opposite ends on the front arm U4 of said ring and on the chambered head AG of the gooseneck A4 A5.

The pawl V, carried by the slide W, as explained, in the normal position of the slide has its toe V2 at rest against under side of a fixed shelf L5 of the flanged disk L, all so that the pawl is therebyheld out of engagement with the teeth of the ratchet-ring U2, while free to engage with said teeth as the slide W begins to move, and continues its movement, as aforesaid, forl the reason that by such movement the pawl moves away from said shelf L5 and so is released from its restraint, and as it is pressed upward by the spring U7 necessaril y it is engaged and held in engagement with the teeth of said ratchet-ring, which therebyis carried with the slide W on its continued movement.

Fig-4 shows by a heavy line a sheet Z of leather clamped in position for being cut out by the knife G in accordance with the solepattern H, and, f urthermore,said figure shows means for holding the pattern in position by the under plate H2, against which the leather Z is directly clamped, as has been explained. These means may consist of vertical pins f at opposite ends of and fixed to the plate H2 and projected upward through holes suitably located on the pattern. Above the pattern each pin is grooved peripherally and at its groove is engaged with a horizontal springbolt g at each end of the lower portion of the v block I in suitable position to engage the pins,

as aforesaid. By pushing back the spring- IOO IIO

bolts g the pattern is released for removal and placing thereon of another, all as is obvious without further explanation, and with the bolts engaged with the pins the plate H2 is held in close contact with the pattern and the pattern held on the block I.

The operation of the machineand its several parts, with a leather sheet clamped on the cutting-block, all as described, on a rotation of the driving-shaft B, is as follows: The twopart support holding the two cutting-carriers, and consisting of head-block C and slideframes D D2 D3 on said block, is, with its supporting-sleeve C2, rotated around the axis of the vertical tubular shaft B5 by means of meshing gear-wheels B3 B4 on said shafts and the driving-shaft B, a Worm gear-wheel BG on the lower end of shaft B3, two worms B2, meshing said worm-wheel B3 on its opposite sides and free for the longitudinal slide therethrough of separate horizontal splined shafts B3, supported and turning in suitable bearings of said slide-frames D D2 D3. The rotation of the splined shafts B3, as explained in each case, imparts a vertical reciprocation to the vertical cu tting blades or chisels G to and through the leather clamped on the cuttingblock, and as the two-part support for the cutter-carriers rotates, as explained, cutting the leather along a line which corresponds in direction and shape to the outline of the fixed pattern Il. `This up-and-down movement of the cutting-bladesGis secured by means of the cranks B9 on the splined shafts B2, stirrup-shaped pitmen B10, hung on said cranks, vertical sleeves B13, suspended onsaid pitmen and moving up and down and swinging on fixed vertical guide-rods E of the slideframes D D2 D3, carrying said splined shafts B3, in combination with upper radial arms F, heldon. and swinging with said sleeves B13, and lower radial arms F, held on vertical rods E1, turning within said guide-rods Efor said sleeves B13, vertical blocks F2 F1, held and swiveling on said radial arms and vertically joined by said cutting-blades G, which swivel in conj unction with said blocks as they are moved up and down through the lower swiveling blocks, as before stated. This swiveling of the blocks is` caused by the loearingotl the, lower blocks against and their travel around the edge of the pattern H, and to this edge they are confined with an elastic pressure exerted by coiled springs E5, connected to them and the sliding frames, as explained, and, furthermore, the lower swiveling blocks and the upper swivelin g blocks and the parts connecting them, and the splined shafts B3, and slide-frames supporting said shafts,y all as has been explained, are moved toward and away from the vertical axial line of the pattern, or, in other words, the vertical axial line of rotation of the two-part support of the cutter-carriers, by means of the gear-wheels N12 of the splined shafts B3, a stationary toothed rack M3 and pinion gear-wheels N3, meshing said rack, and intermediate gearwheels meshing each other, and` said gearwheels N12 and pinion gear-wheels N3 and their shafts or studs severally located between said gear-wheels N12 and said pinion gear-Wheels N3, as follows, to wit: Gear-wheels N10, meshing said gear-wheels N12, turning on studs N11;

gear-wheels N3, fixed on shafts NG, turning in bearing-blocks N" N3 of the sliding frames D D2 D35. worms N3, fixed on said shafts N, and worm gear-wheels N 1, turning on studs N2 and carrying said pinion gear-wheels N, meshing said toothed rack M3.

The result of the operation of the machine, as explained, is thev cutting out from the clamped leather sheet of a piece corresponding substantially in outline and size to those of the pattern H. This result is accomplished in the machine of the drawings by a half-rotation of the two-part supports C and D D2 D3 for the cutter-carriers, for the reason that two cntters are simultaneously cutting the leather sheet at opposite points thereof and continuously moving at the Asame time and in the same direction around the pattern and each for on`e`-' half or thereabout of the entire length ofthe outline `of the pattern. l

On the completion of the cutting out of the leather, as explained, therun of the machine is then arrested by an au tomatieunclutching of driving-shaft B and driving-pulley'Wheel B2 by the release of the upright arm" U of ratchet-ring U2 from engagement with the sliding rod T, forming part of the collar O of the clutching mechanism, all as described. This release of arm U is caused from a partial rotation of ratchet-'ring 4S2 by the pawl V of the slide-plate lV, which then is movedon and about the vertical edge of the horizontal circular disk L by the action` ofl theupper lever-arm X on the pin W4 `of said sliding plate W. This movement ofsaidplate V'is produced by a partial rotation or rock of `the shaft X2, carrying' lever-arm VXin bearingblocks X3 of the plate M, having the toothed rack M3, and it is secured by thelimpingement and riding against the` dependent or lower lever-armX4 on shaft X2 of a bearingblock N7 on a"slide`frame of the two-partl and rotating cutter-carrier supports O and D D2 D3.

The unclutching, as stated, ofthe drivingshaft B and pulley-wheel B2 is because` of the slide on the shaft ofthe clutching collar caused by coiled sprin gs T3, and immediately as they are unclutched the shaft is clutched to the collar O2 of the supporting-framework of the machine, and therebyiss'ecured an `absolute and instant Aarrest of the rotation of the driving-shaft B and the stopping of the machine. i

With the machine stopped, asexplained, the cutting-block P, constitutingmith the'pattern-plate H, the holding-clamp of the leather to be cut, allV as stated, is then released "for the removal of the"`cutout 'piecef of leather and for the insertion of a new piece therebetween, which is then clamped to and 'between the pattern-plate Il and cutting-block, as now to be explained. l

The unclamping of the cut-out piece is s'ecured by a downward movement of the cutting-block P,in part because of its own weight, but positively because of the bend of the togloo IIO

gie-lever R R2 from the recoil or tension of its coiled spring R1, as said lever is released by depressing the treadle-lever R11 su lficicn tl y to disengage the catch-rod from the machine-supporting leg-frame A.

The clamping of the leather sheet is secured by depressing the treadle-lcver R2, which straightens out the toggle-lever R R2, and thus raising the cutting-block P the leather sheet is clamped between it and the pattern and to the latter, on which the whole is made fast by the then automatic engagement of the catchrod R with the leg-frame A, all as is obvious without further explanation.

The toggle-lever R R2,as particularly shown and described, is connected with the clutching mechanism of the driving-shaft B and pulley-wheel B2 for the bend of the togglelever R R2 to secure an unclutching of said shaft and pulley-wheeland to allow said shaft to be clutched to the supporting-frame of the machine, as before explained, and for the straightening of said toggle-lever to secure the clutching of said shaft and the pulley said lever S2, vertical rod S2, bell-crank lever S2, slide-rod T, and stirrup-frame T5, the springs TS of the clutching-collar O to action to move said collar and rod in a direction freeing or unclutching said collar fromv the loose pulley-wheel B.

The clutching` above stated results from the straightening of the toggle-lever R R2, which through its arm S brings pressure on and movement of the lever S3 in a direction and also a movement of vertical rods S4, bellcrank lever S5 SG, slide-rod T, collar T1, st-irrup-frame T5, and rods TG T7 of clutching-collar O2, all so that the clutching-collar O is pressed against its springs T2 into contact with the loose pulley-wheel B2, and thereby said wheel and shaft B clutched and so held by the then fastening, as has been explained, of the toggle-lever in its straightened position, and also by the then engagement, as before explained, of said slide-rod T and an uprightarm U1 of the ratchet-ring U2. The machine, as has been explained, plainly has two means for clutching the driving-shaft B and pulley-wheel B2-to wit, the means in connection with the toggle-lever R R2 and thesliding clutching-collar O and the handlelever Y; and, again, also two means for holding the driving-shaft B and pulley-wheel B2 clutched-to wit, the means in connection with the toggle-lever R R2 and the sliding clutching-collar O, and the means consisting, among others, of the upright arm U to engage the slide-rod T and of ratchet-ring U2 and pawl V for said ring, all as has been fully explained; and, again, for automatically unclutching the drivin g-shaft and pulley-wheel means to release said arm U from engagement with the slide-rod T as the two-part supports C and D D2 D2 rotate, provided all else is suitable thcrcfor, and for unclutching the driving-shaft and pulley-wheel as the clamped leather sheet material is unclamped, provided all else is suitable therefor.

If for holding the driving-shaft and pulleywheel clutched both mechanisms described are used or arranged in one machine, then to unclutch the driving-shaft and pulley-wheel by either of them the other must iirst be released. The means most preferably are those acted upon by the rotating two-part support for the cutter-carriers, in which case the handle-lever Y, arranged as described, su fces for the purpose of clutching the driving-shaft and pulley-wheel.

The rotating block C, forming one part of the two-part support for the cutter-carriers, is shown as provided with two sliding frames D D2 D2; but it is obvious that but one such carrier may be used or that more than two may be used, each being suitably adapted, as also the block C, to receive them all, as has been explained.

Vith two sliding frames D D2D3 for the cutting operation only a half-rotation of the block C is necessary to complete the circuit.

of the pattern H, whereas with one sliding frame D D2D2 a complete rotation of the block C would be necessary, and with three or more sliding f rames D D2 D3 the necessary rotation of the block C would be proportionately reduced from a complete rotation.

Again, each sliding frameD D2D2, as shown, is adapted for separate and distinct operations from a common toothed rack M3 of plate M, to which both are geared, all as described. However, in lieu of this arrangement one frame only may be geared to said plate M and the other operated from the one so gearedfor illustration, Fig. lO'-by providing each sliding frame with a toothed rack-bar Z2, both parallel to and having their toothed edges presented toward each other, and theblock C, with the gear-wheel Z2, turning on a fixed stud Z1 of said block and in mesh with both of said bars Z2, all so that the movement of the sliding frame, from its mesh with said plate M, is directly and immediately imparted to the other sliding frame. l

In Fig. 7 the bearings N7 NS for the shaft N6, carrying the worm i 5 and pinion gearwheel N2, are shown as severally carried b y a IOO IIO

plate N12, which at one end is of a semicircular shape and at the other end'is straight and attached to the top rail D2 of a sliding frame D D2D2 bya set-screw N16, on which, loosened, the frame turns as a fulcrum, so as thereby tol adjust the mesh of the worm N5 with thev worm-gear N1, the plate then moving, by its slot N 1, on a set-screw N15, screwed into said rail D2 and suitably loosened therefor. By tightening up the set-screws N16 N15 the said plate N13 is fastened to said rail, thus fixing the worm N5 adj ust-ed.

According to the number of sliding frames D D2 Drz of the machine, and if the drivingshaft I3 and gear-wheel B2 are to be held clutched by the engagement of a projecting arm, such as U or UA1 of the ratchetring U, anda slide-rod T of the clutchingmechanism, all as explained, said ratchet-ring obviously should be provided with a correspondin g nu mber of said arms, suitably located.

The swivcling of the cutter-blade G, as described, secures the presentation of the cutting edge of the blade always in a line parallel with the line of direction of the edge of the pattern at the part of which it may be at any given time operating as it is traveling about the pattern. Again, by the means of the swinging arms F IT, under spring-pressure and having a cutter-blade swiveled thereon, all as explained, the cutter-blade through its lower swivel-block at a bearing against the edge of the pattern II is allowed, but necessarily within given limits, to move in and out in conformity to the varying outline of the pattern and independently of the slide of the sliding frameD D2D3,carrying it,and by which in turn is automatically accomplished the placing of the cutter in position to conform to extreme varying distances of points at the edge from the center point of the pattern, and which is produced by the operation of the gearing meshing the sliding frame and the toothed rack M3 of the plate M, which is generally of the outline and diameters substantially' agreeing with those of the pattern generally considered-that is to say, considering the pattern without reference to the in-and out variations in shape which its outline may have to suit a given or special outline Within given general limits-for illustration, a boot or shoe sole. v

It will be noted that a plate M, having a toothed rack BI:3 of given dimensions, may be used with a series of patterns of varying dimensions, and in the operation of the machine, as explained, the cutting out desired secured from the particular pattern which may be used, and the reverse is also true-that is to say, that plates M, each having a toothed rack M3 of varying dimensions as to each, may be used With a single pattern of given dimensions and the cutting desired from the pattern accomplished in the operation of the machine, as explained.

If the pattern and thetoothed rack of the plate M are of exactly corresponding outlines,

. varying only as to dimensions, the arms F I?"i may be rigid, for the reason that the necessary in-and -out movement of the cutters would be thenaccomplished by the slide of the sliding frame D D2 D3 of and rotating with the head-block C.

The leather sheet when clamped as stated is under elastic pressure exerted on the pattern II by the then compression of the coiled spring KT, which is about and confined endwise on the vertical shaft K,.to Which the pattern is secured, as explained.

With the leather-clamping parts oi' the machine opened as explained, then the twopart support C and D D2 D3 as a Whole,togetl1er with the toothed rack-plate M, flanged disk L, and gear-wheel K, can be swung about the vertical axial line of shaft K, causing thereby a rotation of pinion gear-wheel K5 and through its shaft K4 and the pinion gear-wheel K3 on said shaft in mesh with gear-wheel K2 of the shaft K a rotation of said shaft K and with it the pattern II, by all of which the pattern can be placed in any given direction, according as may bc desired.

Having fully described the construction of my machine and its mode of operation, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States l. In a machine for cutting sheet material, the combination with a pat-tern of a reciprocating cutter, a cutter-guide through which the cutter reciprocates arranged to bear against the edge of the pattern, and mechanism for causing the cutter and its guide` to travel along the pattern, substantially as described.

2. In a machine for cutting sheet lnaterial, the combination with a pattern, of a reciproeatin g swivelin g cutter, a freely-revoluble guide turning on the swiveling axis of the cutter, and arranged to bear against the edge of the pattern, substantially as described.

In a machine for cutting sheet materia-l the combination with a rotary block, of a slide moving radially thereon, and a reciprocating knife carried by said slide, and connected mechanism for actuating the knife and slide, substantially as described.

et. In a machine for cutting sheet material, the combination with a rotary block, of a slide moving radially thereon, swinging arms on said slide, and a reciprocating knife mounted in said arms and connected mechanism actuating the knife and slide, substantially as described.

5. In a machine for cutting sheet material,

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the combination with a rotary block, of a slide moving radially thereon, swinging spring-pressed arms on said slide, a reciprocatin g cutter mounted in said arms, and connected mechanism for actuating the knife and slide, substantially as described.

6. In a machine for cutting sheet material the combination with a radiallymovable knife-carrier, of a reciprocating swiveling knife carried thereby and connected mechrevoluble blocks carried thereby, and a reciprocating cutter movable in said blocks, substantially as described.

9. In a machine i'or cutting sheet material the combination With swinging spring-pressed arms,of freely-revoluble blocks carried thereby, and a reciprocating critter movable in said blocks, substantially as described.

10. In a machine for cutting sheet material the combination with a power-driven cutter, of a clamp to clamp the material to be cut, and connected mechanism operating to actuate said cutter upon the clamping of the material, and to stop the operation thereof at a predetermined point, substantially as described. A

1l. In a machine for cutting sheet material the combination with a rotary block of radially movable cutters carried thereby, and connected mechanism for simultaneously radially moving said cutters in opposite direcbetween said plate and support, for clamping the pattern, substantially as described.

13. In a machine for cutting sheet material the combination with a reciprocating cutter and a swiveling grooved block through Which said cutter passes, ofa pattern having an eX- posed edge tting the groove in said block, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JAMES J. BREACl-l.

`Witnesses ALBERT W. BROWN, MARION E. BROWN. 

